Articles

8 Awesome Transformers Sub-Groups
When toy design innovation meets creative fiction, you wind up with a Transformer that goes way beyond being a robot to vehicle and back again! Sub-groups have long been a part of the Transformers toy line and this article celebrates eight of the best ones!

"Cool Toys" Magazine: Beast Wars II Article Translations
In 1998 "Cool Toys" magazine in Japan published a comprehensive article covering "Beast Wars" toys from both the "Beast Wars" and "Beast Wars II" series. Check out scans and translations of this article in the links below!

"Fall of Cybertron" Demo Impressions - Bumblebee Level
On July 31, 2012, High Moon Studios released a demo of their upcoming "Fall of Cybertron" video game. One of the first levels "The Exodus" focuses on Bumblebee taking on a mission to save The Ark and Optimus Prime! BWTF shares its impressions of this early look at the next Transformers multimedia experience!

"Fall of Cybertron" Demo Impressions - Multiplayer (August 14, 2012)
Sure most games let you play as Optimus Prime or Megatron, but what about all those troopers you never hear about battling across Cybertron? Now in the immersive multiplayer "Fall of Cybertron" game, you can experience this aspect of the Cybertronian wars! BWTF takes a first look at the demo of the multiplayer game from "Fall of Cybertron".

"Fall of Cybertron" Campaign Mode Review (August 27, 2012)
Following its August 21, 2012 release, Transformers fans everywhere were able to enjoy the amazing "Fall of Cybertron" video game in its full glory. BWTF takes a look at the "Campaign Mode" in this game which focuses on missions and the central story behind the Autobots and Decepticons leaving Cybertron!

Third Party Transformers...one fan's perspective (10/22/13)
Over the past few years, so called "Third Party" Transformers have grown in scope. Once relegated to a figure here and there, several companies are now producing enough third party figures to rival the size of the main "Transformers" line. Here's my perspective on these fan made toys.

Ten Times "Generation One" Got Silly (7/11/14)
"Generation One" is often held as the epitome of "Transformers" fiction, but that doesn't mean it didn't have its fair share of silliness.

Collection Management Part 1: The Basics (7/24/14)
Collecting figures can become a part time job once you get really serious. This is the first in a series of articles where I talk about the products and ways that I manage my collection.

Ben's Top Ten Figures of 2015 (12/29/15)
The "Combiner Wars" are coming to a close in early 2016, "Robots in Disguise" is preparing for another season and the Masterpiece line marches on. Check out what made the list for 2015!

Ben's Top 10 Figures of 2016 (1/1/17)
I pick the Top 10 figures released in 2016! Check out the figures I loved from Combiner Wars to Masterpiece.

10 C.H.U.G. Figures That Need Updates
Since 2007 fans have been lucky enough to have several classic characters redone in various lines like "Generations", but they're not all perfect. Here's a rundown of ten characters that definitely deserve another update in the "Generations" toy line.

A Goodbye to Toys R Us Times Square (12/30/15)
On December 30, 2015 Toys R Us Times Square closed its doors forever. See what made this store different from its counterparts elsewhere. Includes a photo gallery from the days leading up to the closing.

Action Masters Reborn:Introduction | Part 1 | Part 2
A speculative series of articles about using existing sculpts to update Action Master characters who have not yet been brought into the age of modern Transformers toys.

A Megatron by any other name (6/1/16)
With the reveal that Megatron would be returning in "The Last Knight", I speculate on how the character can return after the events of "Age of Extinction".

"Transformers: Earth Wars" Review (6/7/16)
In June of 2016 "Earth Wars" was launched for mobile platforms. This strategy game borrows heavily from Generation One featuring the voice talents of Peter Cullen and Frank Welker!

"Transformers The Movie: 30 Years Later"
August 8, 2016 marks the 30th anniversary of "Transformers: The Movie", the first theatrical "Transformers" feature length film! In this piece I reminisce about my experiences with this movie and why I remember is

"The Last Knight" Secret Past TV Spot Analysis (5/9/17)
The "Secret Past" TV Spot for "The Last Knight" is full of interesting references to human history and the role Transformers played in it. Check out my analysis of this cool commercial!

I'm a Toys "R" Us Kid and I always will be
In early 2018 long time toy retailer Toys "R" Us began to shutter its doors forever in the United States. Here are my thoughts on the reasons for its downfall and my personal feelings about it.